Trump victory: Rotorua politicians and businesses react

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Local businesses say they are unsure of the future, after Donald Trump claimed the American presidency.

And Rotorua's politicians have expressed their shock at tonight's result.

Damar Industries divisional manager Scott Thomson said he thought the effect of the shock result on interest rates would be a concern.

"We do quite a bit of exporting to the States and he [Trump] is not a supporter of the TPP and that would be a restriction for us. Will he put other restrictions up?

"Other things that scared me were his views on ethnic groups. He didn't have any policies apart from building a damn wall.

"The world will be watching to see what he will come up with," he said.

Hayes International sales executive Craig Bedford said he was struggling to believe the result was real.

"I thought it was a possibility, but I always thought in the back of my mind that the American public would see reason.

"I don't know what the market is going to do tomorrow but it's going to affect the exports.

"It's definitely going to make it harder for us to export," he said.

Darrin Walsh, chief executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, said he was shocked and stunned.

"At least we can say the entertainment is going to continue for a few more years.

"On the policies Trump campaigned on, what the hell is going on?

"We know the TPP will be gone. We all, as businesses, thought that was a good thing. It would have improved business here in Rotorua.

"Will there be any other impacts? We will have to wait and see," he said.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said New Zealand had a strong relationship with the US that had been built over many years.

"We will be able to work with the new administration. It was an extremely long and difficult campaign and the result will have been closely fought.

"It will be important for the new president to work for all Americans and play a constructive role in international affairs and in matters of world trade.

"I'm not sure anyone could have predicted such a close race three years ago except for The Simpsons TV programme who had an episode where Donald Trump was president," he said.

Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell congratulated Trump on his win.

"Many were predicting Hillary to become the first woman president of the United States. And there are probably a number of people who will be wondering 'what next?' But the public have spoken and it will be interesting to see if he will implement some of the policies he put forward during the campaign," he said.

Rotorua-based New Zealand First list MP Fletcher Tabuteau said he was amazed.

"I think we have to see what happens. Trump is an unknown quantity and we have to work with him. We have to make sure that we respect and can work with the new president of the United States of America," he said.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick was also shocked.

"I don't think anyone predicted this. It's that phenomena of the Brexit shock that's rolling through the world and it's amazing.

"I'm honestly shocked, I knew it would be really close. There's some compelling messages behind this. It's the working class rising up. A real surprise. I really did think I would be sitting back to watch a Clinton win, but the people have spoken."